UNNAKAYA | STUFFED PLANTAIN FRY

Ingredients

1. Ripe plantain-5 nos( see note)
2. Oil- for deep frying

For coconut filling

1. Cashew nut -chopped-1/8 cup
2. Grated coconut-1/2 cup
3. Sugar-2 tbsp
4. Cardamom powder-1/8 tsp
5. Ghee-2 to 3 tsp

Method

1. To prepare the filling heat ghee in a pan and fry cashew nuts until it turns golden.Now add grated coconut and saute till it turns golden .Add sugar and cardamom powder ,mix well and keep aside.
2. Steam plantain until soft.Allow this to cool slightly.Mash it well using a wooden spoon( like chapati dough)
3. Grease your hands with ghee and take a lemon sized portion of the prepared plantain and lightly flatten it using your finger tips.Place 2 tsp of the prepared coconut filling in the center and press the edges together and roll it to form a cylindrical shape with pointed edges.
4. Heat oil in a pan and deep fry the stuffed plantain until golden brown on all the sides,turning once in between.

Note: If you are finding it difficult to shape cooked plantain,add few tsp of rice flour to it and knead well until firm.
Do not use over ripe plantains.

CHILLI GOBI | CHILLI CAULIFLOWER

Ingredients

1. Cauliflower florets- 1 & 1/2 cups
2. Ginger - chopped-1&1/2 tsp
3. Garlic- chopped-1&1/2 tsp
4. Green chilies-cut into two-2 to 3 nos ( or to taste)
5. Onion -cubed- 1 medium sized
6. Spring onion-chopped- 1 tbsp
7. Red chili flakes-1/4 tsp( optional)
8. Capsicum/bell pepper-cubed- 1/2 of a medium sized
9. Kashmiri chili powder-1/2 tsp
10. Black pepper powder-1/2 tsp
11. Soya sauce- 1 &1/2 tsp
12. Tomato sauce-1 tbsp
13. Sugar-1/4 tsp
14. Cornflour -1 tsp
15. Water- as required.
16. Spring onion greens- chopped- 1 tbsp
17. Salt to taste
18. Oil- as required

For batter

1. All purpose flour-3 tbsp
2. Corn flour- 3 tbsp
3. Ginger garlic paste-1/4 tsp
4. Soya sauce- 1 tsp
5. Black pepper powder-1/4 tsp
6. Salt to taste
7. Water -as required

Method

• Combine all the ingredients listed under 'for batter' to form a thick batter.
• Heat oil in a pan ,dip each cauliflower floret into the prepared batter and deep fry until it turns golden brown.Drain onto a kitchen towel.Keep aside until required.
• To prepare the sauce,heat oil in a pan and add,ginger,garlic and green chilies.Saute till the raw smell leaves.
• Add onion,spring onion,red chili flakes and capsicum,cook until it is just done.
• Now add kashmiri chili powder and pepper powder.Saute for few seconds or until  the raw smell leaves.
• Add soya sauce ,tomato sauce,sugar,salt to taste and 1/4 cup water.Bring this to a boil.Mix cornflour with water to form a paste and add this to the gravy,stirring continuously as you do so.
• Cook for about 2 minutes( stirring continuously) or until the sauce turns thick and  glossy .
• Add  the fried cauliflower florets,mix well until combined .Add chopped spring onion greens.

Serve with fried rice.

PANEER DO PYAZA

Recipe adapted from www.vahrehvah.com

Ingredients

1. Paneer- cubed- 1 cup
2. Cumin seeds-1/2 tsp
3. Onion-chopped finely-2 medium sized
4. Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp
5. Ginger garlic paste- 2 tsp
6. Green chilies-cut into two-2 or 3 nos( or according to taste)
7. Kashmiri chili powder-1/2 to 1 tsp
8. Coriander powder-11/2 tsp
9. Tomato-roughly chopped- 1 medium sized
10. Capsicum - 1/2 of a small
11. Onion -cubed- 1 small
12. Kasuri methi/dried fenugreek leaves- 1/2 tsp
13. Water-as required
14. Roasted cashewnuts-4 to 5 nos( optional)
15. Fresh cream- 1 tbsp(optional)
16. Garam masala-1/4 tsp
17. Coriander leaves-chopped- 1 tbsp( optional)
18. Oil
19. Salt to taste

Method

• Soak paneer in hot water until required.
• Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds,let it splutter.
• Add chopped onion ,turmeric powder and salt,cook over low heat for 5 to 10 minutes or until onion turns golden brown.
• Add ginger garlic paste and saute for a minute.Add green chilies and mix well.
• Reduce flame to low and add kashmiri chili powder and coriander powder and saute for a minute.Add 1/4 cup water and saute until oil separates.
• Grind together chopped tomato and capsicum to a fine paste and add to this.Cook for about 5 minutes.
• Pour in required amount of water to achieve desired consistency.Bring it to a boil.
• Add cubed onion and crushed kasuri methi.Add salt as required.Mix well.
• Add drained paneer and bring it to a boil.
• Add coarsely powdered cashew nuts , fresh cream and garam masala.Mix well and cook for few more seconds.
• Garnish  with chopped coriander leaves.

CARROT PEERA PATTICHATHU | CARROT WITH COCONUT

Recipe adapted from: Modern Kerala Dishes-Mrs K.M Mathew
Ingredients

1. Carrot -cut into 2" long, thin strips)- 1 cup
2. Grated coconut-3/4 cup
3. Shallots-sliced-1/4 cup
4. Green chilies-chopped-1 tsp ( or to taste)
5. Ginger chopped-1/4 tsp
6. Kudampuli /Kokum- 1 small piece
7. Curry leaves- few
8. Salt to taste
9. Coconut oil- 1 to 2 tsp
10. Water -as required

Method

• Coarsely grind together grated coconut and shallots.
• In a pan or manchatti ,combine together sliced carrot,coconut mixture and the remaining ingredients.Sprinkle water as required.
• Cover and cook until done and it is almost dry.
• Serve with rice.

CHICKPEA AND SPINACH TIKKI / PATTIES

Makes : 12 nos
Ingredients

1. Chickpeas- 1 cup
2. Ginger -chopped- 1 inch piece
3. Garlic- chopped- 4 cloves
4. Green chilies -chopped- 2 nos( or to taste)
5. Onion -chopped-1/4 cup
6. Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp
7. Kashmiri chili powder-1/4 to 1/2 tsp
8. Cumin powder-1/4 tsp
9. Garam masala-1/2 tsp
10. Spinach-chopped-1 cup
11. All purpose flour-1 tbsp
12. Water- as required
13. Bread crumbs- as required
14. Oil - for frying

Method

• Soak chickpeas overnight or for 6 to 8 hrs and cook until soft.Allow it to cool slightly and mash it well.Keep aside.
• Heat oil in a pan ,add ginger,garlic and green chilies.saute for few seconds.
• Add chopped onion and saute till it turns translucent.
• Reduce the flame to low and add turmeric ,kashmiri chili ,cumin and garam masala powder.Saute for few seconds.
• Add chopped spinach and salt to taste.Mix well until combined and cook until it is almost dry.Allow this to cool slightly.
• In a mixing bowl add prepared spinach and mashed chickpeas.Mix well using a wooden spatula until combined.
• Combine all purpose flour and water to form a thin batter.Keep aside.
• Form lemon sized balls out of the chickpeas- spinach mixture and flatten it using your finger tips.Dip this in the prepared batter and evenly coat with bread crumbs.
• Heat 2  tsp oil in a non stick pan and shallow fry the patties/tikkis until golden brown,carefully turning once in between.Drizzle more oil on top during frying( if required).

SPINACH PULAV | PALAK PULAV

Ingredients

1. Basmati Rice- 1 cup 
2. Cumin seeds-1/4 tsp
3. Cardamom- 2 nos
4. Cloves- 2 nos
5. Bay leaf- 1 no
6. Cinnamon stick- 1" piece
7. Cashew nuts- 6 to 8 nos
8. Green chili-chopped- 1/2 tsp (or to taste)
9. Onion -chopped-1/4 cup
10. Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp
11. Kashmiri chili powder-1/4 tsp
12. Garam masala-1/2 tsp
13. Oil
14. Water- 1 tbsp ( if required)
15. Salt to taste

For Masala paste

1. Spinach- 1/2 a bunch or 1 cup (packed)
2. Ginger-1/2 inch piece
3. Garlic-3 to 4 small cloves
4. Grated coconut- 1 tbsp

Method

• Cook rice until it is 3/4 th done.Allow it to cool completely.Keep aside.
• Next blanch the spinach.For this bring a pot of water to boil over high heat.Add the washed spinach.Let it cook for 2 minutes.Drain and allow it to cool slightly.Puree the prepared spinach along with the rest of the ingredients for the masala paste( i.e ginger,garlic and grated coconut).Keep aside.
• Heat oil in a pan ,add cumin seeds and let it splutter.Now add cardamom,cloves,bay leaf and cinnamon stick.Saute for few seconds.
• Add cashew nuts and saute for few seconds.
• Now add green chili and onion,saute till onion turns translucent.
• Next add the masala paste ,turmeric powder,kashmiri chili powder,garam masala and salt to taste.Saute till oil separates.
• Add the cooked rice and mix gently until combined.( sprinkle 1 or 2  tbsp water if you feel the rice is a bit dry)Cover and cook for 2 to 3 minutes over low flame.Keep covered for at least 10 minutes before serving.

ELA ADA | VAZHAYILA ADA | STEAMED RICE FLOUR PARCELS

Makes: 6 to 7 nos

Ingredients

1. Rice flour- 1 cup
2. Boiling water- as required
3. Salt- 1 pinch
4. Banana leaves/Parchment paper- cut into rectangles 

For filling

1. Grated jaggery-1/4 to 1/2 cup
2. Water-2 tbsp 
3. Grated coconut-3/4 cup
4. Cumin powder-1 pinch (optional)
5. Cardamom powder-1 pinch

Method

• Melt jaggery with 2 tbsp water over medium low heat.Switch off the stove and add grated coconut,cumin  powder and cardamom powder .Mix well and keep aside.
• In a large mixing bowl ,add rice flour and salt.Pour boiling water and mix well using a wooden spatula.Allow this to cool slightly and knead well to form a soft dough.
• Take a lemon sized portion of the prepared dough and place it onto a piece of  banana leaf and flatten it using your finger tips to form a thin and even layer of dough on it.(If the dough is sticking to your fingers ,dip your finger tips in water once in between)  
• Place a tablespoon of the prepared filling onto one half of the prepared layer and fold over the other half and press the sides gently to seal the edges.Repeat the process with the rest of the dough.
• Place this in a steamer and steam for about 10 to 12 minutes.
• Allow it to cool slightly before serving.